Planners okay liquor licenses for gas stations
By Dana Casadei
A set of proposed changes to make it easier for gas stations to acquire a liquor license is officially on its way to the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees after the recommendation was approved by the planning commission at a public hearing on Wednesday, September 4.
Chris Barbat, a member of the Barbat Organization and owner of several local gas stations, including in Bloomfield Township was the only one to speak at the public hearing before the planning board voted to recommend approval before moving the recommended changes to the board of trustees. Barbat has been in the gas stations business for over 25 years and is a liquor license attorney. He’s also a resident of the township, as are his brothers, who run the Barbat Organization with him.
Barbat continued to show his favor for this decision, much like he did at the planning commission meeting on August 5, and spoke passionately about why this was the right decision for the township.
“Gas stations are now more convenience stores with gas pumps. I say convenience stores first because our sales show that around seven out of ten customers don’t necessarily fill gas but come into the convenience store to get a cold drink or a snack,” he said. “We’re so invested in this township and we’re at the stations pretty much every day. So we would really like for you guys to consider the amendment as is.”
The list of proposed amendments to the current zoning ordinance includes revising the distance from the point of sale and fuel dispenser from 50 feet to five feet, therefore aligning with the requirements from the state; changing the minimum building size requirement from 4,000 square feet to half that at 2,000-square-feet; adjusting the parking standard from one space for every 200 square feet to one space every 300; completely eliminating the minimum lot size of one acre and maintain the current land area of 0.51 acres, which is required for all gas stations; adding the minimum of 750 feet distance to any school to stay consistent with the retail package outlets requirements; and lastly, eliminating the provision for SDD licenses to not exceed one for every 3,000 people. This last point is a criteria regulated by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC), and the current state SDD provisions now allow for licenses to be transferred from another municipality.
One of these changes in particular – that there be a minimum size requirement of 2,000 square feet for gas stations that do want to sell liquor, wine, and beer – was a direct result of the planning commission meeting on August 5 during which commission member Neal Barnett spoke strongly about the need for a size requirement.
A police report from police chief James Gallagher was in the packet for this meeting as well. Gallagher contacted police departments in West Bloomfield, Birmingham, Royal Oak,and Shelby Township, all who have gas stations that sell liquor, and found that there were no negative reports on the impact to public safety or an increase in crimes or calls for service after they allowed for liquor, wine and beer to be sold at gas stations.
While that list of changes may seem long, the current requirements are just as lengthy but more stringent.
With the proposed amendments five of Bloomfield Township’s 12 gas stations would be able to apply right away for the license to sell beer, wine and liquor. Many of the other stations are B-1, which does not fall under those standards, but they could apply for a variance if they desired to sell alcohol.
The current standards that need to be met include a minimum of 50 feet between the cash register and fuel pumps; no drive-through within the same building; a minimum building space of 4,000 square feet with one parking space every 200-square-feet; frontage on a major thoroughfare; no service or repair operations within the gas station; they aren’t adjacent to a residential zoned property; and a minimum lot size of one acre for a single user.
On top of that list the stations also need a license issued by the MLCC and must either be located in a neighborhood shopping center that’s composed of one or more commercial establishments, and/or have a minimum inventory of $250,000 on the premise, which does not include alcoholic beverages or motor vehicle fuel.
With the current standards only three of the township’s 12 gas stations even qualify to be able to apply.
Much like Patricia Voelker, township director of planning, building, and ordinances, did at the planning commission meeting on August 5, Andrea Bibby, deputy director of planning, building and ordinances noted that due to the current requirements Bloomfield Township – at least as of last spring – had never had one of their gas stations submit a site plan application for a liquor license.
The proposal now needs approval from the board of trustees.
